Can I Really Get Paid to Move to Greece?

Please direct any questions about applications to the Kythira Department of Tourism at (+30) 273 603 1213. Note that their office is open to the public on weekdays from 8 am to 12 pm.

Antikythira has not yet welcomed any families with this program because the homes are not yet complete. To get updates on their construction, please direct any questions to the local authorities in Antikythera.

Elxis - At Home in Greece does not manage any of the proposed projects in this program. Please direct any questions to Kythira’s Tourism Department.

Antikythira is one of the smallest islands in the Aegean Sea, with 24 permanent residents and 40 that come during the summer tourist season. Forty years ago, the island of Antikythira had 300 people, but the number has steadily decreased over the years.


The initiative was organized by the Greek Orthodox Church of Kythera (which extends to Antikythera as well). The goal is to attract bakers, fishermen, and of course, children. The program is designed for five families with four children who will be interviewed and then given a financial incentive to live in Antikythera.


The amount given is 500 euros per month for two years, as well as a house, as long as they desire to stay on the island. These houses have not been built yet because of some delays in paperwork.

The president of the Antikythira's local government, Andrea Harhalakis, said in an interview with Iefimerida.gr that “we need young families, big enough to make Antikythira come alive with children’s voices.”


Another larger goal of the community is to boost the local economy and bring new life to the small Greek island community. The island of Antikythira doesn’t have any gas stations or taxis. It has a small coffee shop which serves as a gathering place for locals and also functions as a grocery store.

You are a good candidate to move to Antikythira if you like the isolation of the sparsely populated Greek island. The island also has fantastic views and swimming spots, with pristine beaches. The most popular beaches are “Xeropotamos” and “Kamarila,” which are not far from the main port.


Walk through the low hills among the greenery and explore the country chapels and caves. Antikythira is also known for its wild goats and a large breeding colony of falcons, also called “Eleonora’s falcon.”

A ferry connects Antikythira to nearby Kythera island five times a week. The journey lasts two to three hours. You can also reach Antikythira from Kissamos in Crete and Piraeus in Athens, but these ferries take longer and leave less frequently. If there are strong winds, the ferry might not travel.

Antikythira has 40 residents during the high season. So, if you like peace and quiet, you might like living on this faraway Greek island. The simplicity of Greek island life, hospitable locals, and great weather are a few reasons to move to Antikythira.


Among the drawbacks of living on such a remote island is that the closest day excursion is two hours away by ferry. Receiving packages and sending mail will also take longer than on other Greek islands. The closest hospital is on Kythira island.


For urgent health needs, you can get a transfer from an EKAV helicopter or boat to a major city to receive care. For private air ambulances, a few options are Gamma Air Medical and Athens Medevac.

Sikinos - 250 Residents

Sikinos is a small island in the Cyclades complex, close to Folegandros and Ios. The island is mostly free of tourism and features an unspoiled getaway from the crowds that pour onto other Greek islands. The main town of Chora is known for its traditional blue and white houses and its narrow alleys.

Gavdos - 150 Residents

The island of Gavdos is a hidden gem. It is the southernmost place to visit both in Greece and in Europe. The island of Gavdos belongs to Crete and is technically in the Chania prefecture. It is closer to Africa than to Athens and is about 26 miles from the city of Chora Sfakion (Sfakia) in Crete.


The island is small –about 32 square kilometers– so it is easily explored in a few days. An even smaller island, Gavdopoula, is found nearby. The landscape features pristine beaches and pine and juniper trees, just like in southern Crete. The most popular area for the hippy community to gather is on Agios Ioannis Beach, where some informal “streets” and “addresses” mark the tent homes of its nature-loving residents.

Chalki - 500 Residents

Have you heard of Chalki before? Chalki is an island of the Dodecanese archipelago, very close to Rhodes. It remains untouched by mass tourism and is a great destination for quiet vacations, away from Greece’s main tourist attractions.


Its solar electricity grid is the first of its kind in Greece and it aims to power the whole island. The population is 330, and it has a “big brother” relationship with the island of Rhodes for some of its basic needs in the past, including energy. It is the smallest island in the Dodecanese archipelago, with a total area of 28 square kilometers.

A lot of English words with "anti" usually mean "against." For example, "antifreeze" (prevent freezing), "ant-acid" (fight against acid), and "antisocial" (not social). So, what is Antikythira against?

In fact, in Greek, the word "anti" also means "opposite to". In other words, Antikythira is found opposite the island of Kythira. If we take the ancient Greek root, "anti" can also mean "instead of." For example, in the army, "General" is "Stratigos" and "Lt. General" is "Antistratigos." The Lt. General is the "replacement" of the general, in this case.

Usually, when we're talking about Greek islands, the "anti" island is the smaller of a pair of islands. Other pairs in Greece are Paros and Antiparos, Milos and Antimilos, Paxos and Antipaxos, and the little-known Psara and Antipsara.